Throne & Liberty
News, coverage and analysis tracking Throne & Liberty across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Throne and Liberty deep-dives the perils awaiting players traveling to the frozen wasteland of Nix
Amazon Games and NCsoft have detailed the upcoming expansion for Throne and Liberty, titled The Frozen Divide: Nix. This expansion introduces a new frozen wasteland zone called Nix, featuring unique traversal mechanics like the Aethersuit and Auroral Path. New dungeons and bosses, including one inspired by a cat, will also be added when the expansion releases on June 25th.
MMO Week in Review: Your light fades away
This week's MMO news highlights the impending end of updates for Destiny 2 after its final release in June, leading to player mourning and industry layoffs. Several other games, including Closers Online and one version of Tree of Savior, are also shutting down. New developments include Daybreak Game Company adding a Canadian studio, Guild Wars Reforged soft-launching its mobile client, Throne and Liberty previewing an expansion, and Neverwinter releasing a new module.
Amazon’s Throne & Liberty announces the Frozen Divide: Nix expansion coming June 25
Amazon and NCsoft have announced the next major expansion for their MMORPG, Throne and Liberty, titled Frozen Divide: Nix. Launching on June 25th, the expansion will introduce a vast new region called Nix, a new Gauntlets weapon, co-op dungeons, and increased level progression. Further updates are planned for July and August, with weekly previews beginning next week.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 566: Rock the Cradle of War
The Massively OP Podcast episode 566 covers EVE Online's Cradle of War expansion, the beta for EverQuest Legends, and Spirit Crossing's housing system. The hosts also discuss Throne and Liberty's progression, the use of AI in MMOs, and financial reports from companies like NCSoft and Square Enix.
MMO Week in Review: The Only Way to the Cradle of War
This week's MMO news roundup covers major announcements from EVE Online's Cradle of War expansion and Star Citizen's alpha 4.8 Tactical Strike. Guild Wars 2 launched The Only Way update, while Amazon's Lord of the Rings MMORPG fate remains uncertain. NCsoft and Pearl Abyss reported strong financial quarters, and various other MMOs like Farever, EverQuest Legends, and Subnautica 2 were discussed.
Throne and Liberty adds ‘cumulative growth content,’ new PvP seasons, and quality-of-life updates
Throne and Liberty has received a new patch introducing 'cumulative growth content' through the Stellar Journey system, which permanently boosts character stats. The update also includes quality-of-life improvements to the user interface, new seasons for PvP modes like arena and battlegrounds, and adjustments to open-world PvP engagement rules. Additionally, skill chains have been extended for some epic equipment, and numerous bug fixes have been implemented.
Lord Of The Rings MMO cancelled as Amazon explores ‘new game experience’
Amazon Games has cancelled its Lord of the Rings MMO, which had been in development in various forms since 2019. While the MMO is scrapped, Amazon Games head Jeff Grattis stated the company is exploring a new game experience within Tolkien's world. This cancellation follows significant layoffs within Amazon's games division and the upcoming shutdown of their MMO New World.
Amazon ‘continues to explore a compelling new game experience’ for Lord of the Rings
Amazon's head of games, Jeff Gratis, stated that the company continues to explore a new game experience for The Lord of the Rings IP, despite earlier reports suggesting the MMORPG's cancellation. While the development team for the previously announced Lord of the Rings MMO was reportedly cut, Amazon has not officially confirmed its cancellation and remains committed to exploring the intellectual property.
Amazon pressured one of its teams to develop an AI game, they scrambled to make it work - then got laid off anyway
Developers at Amazon Game Studios were laid off in October 2025, following a company-wide push to integrate generative AI into game development. Project Trident, an AI-powered third-person action game, was cancelled despite internal promise and adherence to the AI mandate. The layoffs affected multiple teams, including those working on New World and The Lord of the Rings MMO, as Amazon shifted its strategy away from big-budget internal development.
Amazon has cancelled The Lord of the Rings MMO, but promises it "continues to explore a compelling new game experience" set in Middle-earth
Amazon has cancelled its previously announced Lord of the Rings MMO, though the company states it is still exploring a new game experience set in Middle-earth. The MMO, a partnership between Amazon Game Studios and Embracer Group, had been in early development and faced numerous setbacks including layoffs and a shift in company focus. While the MMO is officially shelved, Amazon remains committed to the intellectual property.
Throne and Liberty teases the arrival of The Frozen Divide update soon™
Amazon Games is teasing the upcoming "The Frozen Divide" update for the MMORPG Throne and Liberty. While details are scarce, fans speculate it may introduce a new region called Nyx. Further information is expected soon.
WRUP: Jason Jason is our new town name edition
This week's "What Are You Playing" roundup features staff and community members discussing their weekend gaming plans. Titles mentioned include Guild Wars 2, Palia, Red Dead Online, Final Fantasy XIV, World of Warcraft, and Age of Mythology: Retold. A bonus question asks which fast food restaurant they would hypothetically control for petty reasons.
Throne and Liberty’s latest patch changes Floating Elf Gardens as Amazon addresses battlegrounds
Throne and Liberty's latest patch has altered PvP in Floating Elf Gardens by lowering the victory score and changing how points are acquired. Amazon also issued a statement addressing ongoing battlegrounds issues, noting that a recent debuff to healing was reverted due to not producing the desired outcome. The team promises substantial new content is forthcoming.
A Surprising 17-Years-Later Sequel Is Coming West This Year
NCSoft announced that Aion 2, a sequel to the 2008 MMORPG, will receive a global release on PC via Steam later this year. The game, built on Unreal Engine 5, faced criticism for its microtransactions upon its South Korean and Taiwanese launch. NCSoft has apologized and vowed to make changes for the international release, with more details expected in May.
The MOP Up: Trove looks to the stars for its latest contest
This week's MMO roundup includes Trove's "Space Innovation" decoration contest, Marvel Rivals' new season and creative director's vision, and sales milestones for Crimson Desert. Updates and patches were also detailed for The Elder Scrolls Online, Hearthstone, Throne and Liberty, Dark Age of Camelot, Magic Online, MechWarrior Online, and League of Legends.
MMO Week in Review: EQ Legends’ beta, Ashes of Creation’s drama
This week's MMO news roundup covers the upcoming closed beta for EverQuest Legends and ongoing legal drama surrounding Ashes of Creation. Several other titles like AdventureQuest Worlds Infinity, Dune Awakening, and Temtem Pioneers also saw significant updates or funding news.
WRUP: You gonna cry edition
The Massively OP staff discusses their weekend gaming plans, with mentions of Guild Wars Reforged, Lord of the Rings Online, Warframe, Final Fantasy XIV, Throne and Liberty, World of Warcraft, and New World. A bonus question prompts readers to share the dumbest thing they've done to win a low-stakes challenge.
Throne & Liberty’s delayed spring 3.28 patch is finally live with a new PvP map and two dungeons
The delayed spring update for Throne & Liberty is now live, introducing new content for western players. The update includes a new PvP map called Floating Elf Harden, two new co-op dungeons (Hellfire Crucible and Deathless Queen's Lair), a brooch equipment slot, PvP stat rebalancing, and a new battle pass. Dungeons have been reclassified into Epic, Elite, and Normal tiers, with currency rewards adjusted accordingly.
Throne and Liberty delays global update a week, players resort to peeping the Korean patch notes
Amazon has delayed the global update for the MMORPG Throne and Liberty by a week, citing a need to ensure a smooth release. While the Korean version received its patch as scheduled, global players are left waiting for official patch notes, leading to frustration and speculation within the community.
Vague Patch Notes: Cringe is good
This opinion piece argues that 'cringe' elements in game marketing, such as those seen in Amazon's promotional videos for Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty, are actually good and effective. The author suggests that genuine enthusiasm and a lack of shame, even if job-related, foster authentic connection and enrich the player experience, contrasting it with negative behaviors.